Royal Ruby (5g Yeats-Close Harmony, by Bustino) began his racing career in the best possible fashion when capturing a bumper at Southwell on Tuesday.

Home-bred by owner Rita Brown, the Yeats gelding is trained – like his sibling Barbers Shop – by Nicky Henderson.

Jockey Nico de Boinville waited patiently aboard the five-year-old before swooping late to score by a length and a half.

The Racing Post commented that Royal Ruby “picked up really well having been switched out with a furlong to run and always looked set to score…. He is a nice prospect, with a longer trip set to suit once hurdling”.

De Boinville added: “We’ve taken our time with Royal Ruby but he has done it well in the end.”